A Benson man died Wednesday morning while swimming at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
According to the National Park Service, the 55 year-old man was swimming around 10:00am when he called for help from a small sandbar about 50 yards from the beach, just south of the Frisco Day Use Area.
Hearing the cries for help, a male bystander attempted to help the victim. But before the good Samaritan could reach the victim he was swept away from the sandbar by what is believed to have been a rip current.
The good Samaritan was able to retrieve the body, return to shore with the victim, where a female bystander started CPR.
Dare County Emergency Medical Services, Hatteras Island Rescue Squad, Seashore Rangers and the Dare County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident and continued CPR but efforts to save the man were unsuccessful.
“My thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends after this tragic event,” said National Parks of Eastern North Carolina Superintendent David Hallac. The name of the victim was not released by the National Park Service.
According to ABC11, this is the second swimming-related fatality off the seashore in the last four days.
